People, Photography

A Pocket Full of 2015

Life is always changing somehow. It’s hard to look back and really remember times that were uneventful.

And although this year was challenging in a lot of ways, it was also rewarding to have lived through it all.

I tried not live in fear of the future and mistakes. To instead look forward and jump toward opportunities.

I remembered to smile around people more often.

I aimed to be more giving.

I spent a lot more time around children and they really remind me what it’s like to be fearless.

And goofy.

And to ask for what you want.

And to be unapologetically you.

Kids have so much energy.

When kids are really happy it’s hard not to smile around them.

I found some adults could be like that, too.

I saw people be really caring this year despite the seemingly unending tragedies.

I learned that the best new year’s resolution is to try to always be nice to people.

Because everyone had some challenging part of the year.

And instead of looking back.

We should start to look forward.

Happy New Year.

People, Photography, Travel

Why beach towns are like refuges | Santa Monica edition

When life gets so frustrating you realize you’re walking around clenching your fists for parts of the day, nothing quite washes it away like a day with the ocean.

When I hear the crashing of it’s waves I can feel myself pounding the sand.

The ocean is so patient. It slowly builds. Pushing itself as far as it can go onto the shore, stretching every last drop, just to rescind again.

There’s so much life in it’s hands. Swimming, breathing, procreating, shitting, having lunch. It’s an entire system of things we couldn’t possibly imagine. The tiniest of creatures. The most vulnerable of species. And yet it’s mostly indestructible and unknown.